5 Features Apple Might Want to “Borrow” from Google’s Android OS

Say what you want about Android phones, but there’s no doubt they will remain popular among consumers for years to come. There may even be a feature or two worth bringing to iOS, which happens often, as companies will frequently copy each other or improve on their competitor’s idea. Macworld’s Oscar Raymundo writes about 5 Android features he’d like to see come to iOS devices, and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

1. Instant App Launcher

This feature allows apps to be opened in the cloud, without actually installing them on Android phones. It’s a way to cut down on the download and install times for apps and is especially useful for trying out a new app without using as much cellular data. Users who don’t have a lot of time or are impatient might like this feature.

2. Customizable Quick Settings

Android’s “Quick Settings tab is similar to the iOS Control Center” Raymond writes. “Unlike iOS, however, Android users can now customize their Quick Settings to rearrange the shortcuts they use most often, and remove the ones they barely tap at all.” Having more options to customize menus and the like is never a bad thing.

3. Multi-Window support

Multi-Window supportis a feature Apple added to Macs, the iPad Pro, and the iPad Air 2. Essentially, the feature allows two apps to be used at the same time. “Android N is introducing Multi-Window support for all Android phones and tablets, meaning you can have two apps open at the same time. And you can even drag-and-drop between screens,” he writes. Apple would be smart to included it on more devices, even on iPhones.

4. Close All Apps

Raymundo suggests the feature will be called “Clear All” and will be available “right from the app switcher.” A Macworld reader commented on the article suggesting iOS doesn’t need such a feature as it has been reported iOS manages all memory carefully, and doesn’t devote additional resources to apps in the background just because they are still in the multitasking menu.

5. VR Mode

Raymundo claims Android phones are able to use virtual reality effectively, being designed for the “mobile VR experience.” He writes, “VR Mode changes how Android reads sensor data and how it displays pixels to lower the latency in graphics.” Adi Robertson and Ross Miller from The Verge reported about Daydream, Google’s new VR platform. They describe Daydream as, “a more advanced successor to Cardboard, the disposable headset standard that Google released two years ago.” Daydream will be a VR system powered by the the next slate of Android N phones and tablets.

Android and iOS have their differences and consumers certainly have their preference, but positive innovation can come when there is healthy competition. Both Google and Apple benefit from this and it’s one of the main arguments of a capitalistic economic system: Competition leads to new and better products for consumers. It may be time for Apple to “borrow” some of Android’s newest features.